Zanu PF, MDC call for end to violence in joint statement

Zanu PF, MDC call for end to violence in joint statement

• Zimbabwe talks to finish on Thursday, draft deal ready

• Zimbabwe power-sharing talks resume

• Tsvangirai 'fairly satisfied' with talks

• Mbeki, Mugabe and Mutambara upbeat

• Mugabe says talks on track, wants speedy resolution

• Talks in recess, leaders meet negotiators

• Makone outed as media mole at power-sharing talks

• Zimbabwe negotiators hunt mole, sell world media dummy

• South Africa slams western sanctions on Zim

• Talks delegates 'demand luxury' - paper

• Zimbabwe talks begin, deal said close

• Mugabe, Tsvangirai 'differ sharply' over dinner

• Zanu PF, MDC negotiators set to begin talks

• Text: Memorandum of Understanding between Zanu PF and MDC

• Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara sign agreement

• Tsvangirai gives nod to power sharing talks

• AU, UN and SADC reaffirm support for Mbeki

• Ping snubs MDC ahead of Mbeki meeting

• South Africa slams US, UK criticism

• Additional Zim mediator 'fake issue' - Pahad

• Mbeki rejects EU demands on Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE'S ruling Zanu PF and the opposition MDC on Wednesday, August 6, called on their supporters to end political violence in the country.

In a joint statement, they urged "all our supporters and members and any organs and structures under the direction and control of our respective parties to stop and desist the perpetration of violence in any form".

THE STATEMENT IN FULL:

"We, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations pursuant to Article 10 of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by our Principals, Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zanu PF, Mr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai of the one MDC formation and Professor Arthur Guseni Oliver Mutambara of the other MDC formation in Harare on 21st July, 2008, enabling the resumption of dialogue under the auspices of the SADC mediation and supported and endorsed by the African Union in a bid to resolve the challenges and the multiple threats to the well-being of our people hereby unequivocally condemn the promotion and use of violence as a political tool and call for the cessation and end to all politically motivated violence in the country.

The Parties, acknowledging that violence that is attributable to us and which has been injurious to national and human security has indeed occurred in the country after the 29th March, 2008 Harmonised Elections hereby call upon all our supporters and members and any organs and structures under the direction and control of our respective Parties to stop and desist the perpetration of violence in any form.

We, further, reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the law is applied fairly and justly to all persons irrespective of political affiliation, to take all necessary measures within our power to eliminate all forms of political violence, including by non-state actors, and to ensure the security of persons and property and provide support to victims of violence.

The Parties express their readiness to work individually and together in the ongoing Dialogue to make public undertakings in ensuring the safety of any displaced persons and their safe return home and to enable humanitarian and social welfare organisations to render such assistance as might be required.

Signed at HARARE this day of August, 2008.

1. N.T. GOCHE ……………………………………

For ZANU-PF

and

2. P.A. CHINAMASA ..............................................

1. T. BITI …………………………………………….

For MDC

and

2. E. MANGOMA……………………………………

1. W. NCUBE…………………………………………..

For MDC

and

2. P. MISIHAIRABWI…………………....................
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com